A Creative Spirit
Two weeks into the New Year and I need to reconsider my decision NOT to make dieting one of my New Year's Resolutions but exercise more. My resolve to exercise "more" was going really well until I developed tennis elbow, which means I am unable to swim and I also twisted my knee so I... Continue Reading →
Stuck in a "culinary rut" one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to research and cook one new recipe each week; photograph the results, both successes and failures, and post to my blog. On reflection I should have named myself "Squirrel" not Piglet as I hoard tins, jars and packets of this and that in... Continue Reading →
One of my passions is gardening and the Gazanias reward me with an ongoing display of unusual daisy-like flowers twelve months of the year. These photos were taken today after weeks of showers, gales and heavy rain. I was amazed any had actually survived such an onslaught, so with a break in the weather I... Continue Reading →
Stuck in a "culinary rut" one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to research and cook one new recipe each week; photograph the results, both successes and failures, and post to my blog. Considering I absolutely adore food, hence the name Piglet, I can’t believe I have become so lazy in the kitchen! The recipe... Continue Reading →
Today's post is about the Red Palm Weevil as I wanted to bring to your attention to the devastating effect this little critter is having on the palms as it munches its way across the world. The lack of action in containing the spread of this weevil by some authorities is inexcusable. I was not... Continue Reading →
Men make me smile in that when they are wrong they rarely admit it, and when they do, it's your fault they were wrong in the first place! When I'm right and they are wrong I try hard not to smile and say I told you so. Now if you are a man reading this... Continue Reading →
Although not a surfer or sun worshipper I love beaches. The sound of the waves and the magic of the sunlight dancing on the water is so relaxing - almost hypnotic that I can lose myself for hours just sitting looking out to sea, fishing or walking along the shoreline lost in thought. A couple... Continue Reading →
Every year we make New Year’s Resolutions, but why? How many of these “resolutions” do we actually achieve? I am pleased to say that last year one of my resolutions was to start a blog about life in Portugal. It was quite a challenge for a “technomuppet” such as me, especially as six months before... Continue Reading →
Feriado Público As I often forget some of the public and regional holidays in Portugal I thought it would be a great idea to kick off the New Year with this list as a reminder. I have also added this post as a "page" for future reference. Please let me know if there are any... Continue Reading →
I’ve decided to sign up to the WordPress PostAWeek challenge and blog at least once a week. Yikes, what I am I going to write about? I know it won’t be easy, but it will be fun trying something a little different to my usual boring New Year resolutions, like lose weight and exercise more!!... Continue Reading →
Fascinated by this cake I decided not only to buy one but also research its origins. Bolo Rei is not simply a cake but a true symbol of the Christmas season! The Bolo Rei (King Cake) originated in France and only arrived in Portugal during the mid nineteenth century. It is traditionally eaten on the 25th... Continue Reading →
Have you ever tried Geocaching? I had never tried it until recently and now I'm hooked!! Geocaching can best be described as a high tech worldwide treasure hunt game using a GPS enabled device. The Geocache is the treasure. Not treasure in the true sense of the word but a container (cache) which holds the... Continue Reading →
The run up to Christmas this year feels rather flat and for the first time I feel homesick. Perhaps not "homesick" in the true sense of the word, but everything just feels alien. I think it’s down to the fact that it does not feel Christmassy. Our nearest town has decided not to display any... Continue Reading →
This recipe is not only delicious but very simple to make. Ingredients 700gr Sweet Potatoes Dressing 1 Lime Fresh Coriander 2tbsp Mango Chutney Soy Sauce Chilli Olive Oil Thoroughly wash the sweet potatoes, cut into evenly sized pieces and boil in skins until soft. Drain. Without removing the skins, chop up and mash. Dressing Finely... Continue Reading →
We went along to the FESTIVAL DA BATATA-DOCE in Aljezur last weekend and it was really enjoyable! Although the event focused on the Sweet Potato (Batata-Doce) there were lots of other stands selling local crafts and food. These included cakes, herbs, liquors, local wine, honey, the famous Monchique Sausage, and of course several different Sweet... Continue Reading →
Every Wednesday Littlewoods Europe hold a competition called "Wordless Wednesday". I was speechless when I won their 3rd competition! http://blog.littlewoodseurope.com/wordless-wednesday-littlewoods-europe-3rd-winner/ and when I received my prize this morning I was absolutely delighted. The quality of the bracelet far exceeded my expectations. If you would like to enter the competition further information can be found: blog.littlewoodseurope.com... Continue Reading →
I only discovered how 'fun' flea markets were once we had moved to Portugal. Desperate for more English books some good friends suggested we tried the local flea market. We arrived early and the whole place was a hive of activity with people looking for a bargain and bartering in various different languages. A real... Continue Reading →
Pine Processionary Caterpillars The title may sound a little dramatic even OTT, but in truth these cute and harmless-looking caterpillars pose a real danger to people and pets. Since moving to Portugal I have developed an unexplained desire to learn more about the insects I find in our garden. I like, no NEED, to know... Continue Reading →
Praia da Amoreira is a natural and as yet unspoilt sandy beach about 7kms from the little town of Aljezur in the Western Algarve. It's popular with surfers, fishermen and those who just want to escape from the rat race of mass tourism and concrete highrise. There are no shops or concession areas so you... Continue Reading →
Recently we went to a restaurant where the service was so abysmal and we were treated in such an off-hand way that I asked for the "Livro de Reclamações" (this is the complaints book). Despite being invisible for 90 minutes it was amazing that the manager of the establishment, like a Gene from the lamp,... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 